The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-14
POWDERLY'S NEW PLANS.
Views of Local Knights as to the Radical
Changes Contemplated by Him.

The statement coming from the East that Gen.
reorganizing the Knights of Labor, on broader
basis, has caused considerable interest among
the leading labor advocates here. 1t is repre-
sented that Mr.. Powderly has been greatly dis
couraged by several occurrences of the last few
months. The failure of the New York strike
disappointed him, it is further said, but the
event that worried him more than any other was
the refusal Of the Knights to remain away from
the Cincinnati industrial convention The rules
OF the order, it is explained, very strict. and
say plainly that the assemblies shall take part
in political gatherings or organizations. The
Knights over the country. it is said, steadily dis
obeyed this rule, and, besides send
ing delegates to the Cincinnati convention
attended the ratification meetings in that city
in body. Some conversant with the affairs of
the organization say that feeling is being man
ifested here over this matter While there were
no orders given by the district assembly for
the local assembly not to attend the Saturday
nights meeting the question was discussed. One
of the leading members Of the assembly stated
to a reporter that il any of the local assemblies
attended they would do so in direct violation OF
the rules of the order. Another Knight speak
ing on the same subject said: II begin to see
that the organization is going to pieces. The
members have ceased to respect Powdery as
they did formerly. and are doing about as they
please. Unless there is a complete reorganiza-
ton Of some kind, the order is bound to 60 to
pieces in the course Of time"
Another said: II have read with great inter-
| est the new project being agitated in the East.
There is doubt but that the withdrawal OF
the trades and labor unions has greatly weak
| ened the Knights Powderly knows this. There
seems to be no way to keep them from going
out The resolution passed at the General
| Assembly, last year, excluding members of the
International. Cigar makers Union was mis-
| take, and. no matter how many circulars
may be sent out now to rectify the error, its
effect cannot be remedied. An ill-feeling exists
among great many other labor organizations,
and as long as the Knights remain on the pres
ent basis they may expect to be antagonized.
| The numerous labor organizations are growing
stronger every day, and it is only question OF
| time until they will overpower the
knights. There should be but one
| labor organization in the country, and the
scheme to combine them all is magnificent
one. It is hardly probable. however. that il
will ever be done. 1t might have been done
sooner, but there is feeling among some of the
| trades-unions that will prevent them from ever
| going into ything of the kind.
Has the district assembly here received any
| intimation from POwderly that ne had such 8
| scheme on footF
mo, but the matter has been talked over by
the leaders for several months. They all recog
| nize that the one-man power will not work. The
| plan being agitated will organize the order into
trade divisions and each division will settle its
| own difficulties. There will be executive
board, composed of a representative from each
| trade division, but the board will be called upor
the last resort to settle differences. The plan
though, is too broad ever to become practical
Still, it may prove a success. believe every
knight of Labor is in favor of such a scheme i
all probability. como up for discussion at tn
next General Assembly of the Knights TIL
day is coming when there will be radica
changes, and if the Eastern plan does no
materialize, some other will"